49ers stick it to Rams by poaching former return specialist

The San Francisco 49ers made a swift move to bolster their wide receiver depth by adding former Los Angeles Rams player Xavier Smith to their practice squad just days after his release. Smith, a 29-year-old undrafted free agent from Florida A&M, had spent the past two seasons with the Rams, primarily serving as a return specialist before being benched early this season in favor of Alex Bachman.

His arrival comes as the 49ers face a critical shortage at wide receiver, with Dante Pettis recently placed on injured reserve and Demarcus Robinson sidelined due to a high ankle sprain after just one game with the team. Smith’s addition is the latest in a string of Rams receivers joining the 49ers, following Brandin Cooks’ recent signing and elevation to the active roster ahead of their Week 4 win over Denver.

The timing is particularly notable, as the 49ers prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks—a matchup carrying extra weight after their 41-6 playoff loss to the Seahawks last season.

Smith’s stats from last season highlight his dual-threat capabilities, with 301 kickoff return yards (including a 32-yard long) and 303 receiving yards on 18 catches. His transition to the 49ers adds another layer of intrigue to a divisional rivalry already marked by roster turnover, as both teams scramble to address key positional needs ahead of a competitive NFC West schedule.

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